Power Tool Manufacturers and Who Really Owns Them

Every wonder who owns Craftsman tools? How about Milwaukee, Mac Tools, or Skilsaw? It may surprise you to know that only a handful of companies own your favorite power tool manufacturers. That’s right, most tool brands fall under a parent company which also controls additional brands. We break it down for you…with charts!

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

Tool Brand Parent Companies – Getting the Big Picture

Note: RIDGID and RYOBI cordless power tools are licensed by TTI.

We didn’t include every tool company in this image. To be honest, we couldn’t fit them all on the page. We will, however, do our best below to include as many tool brand parent companies as possible. Starting with several of the largest makes the most sense.

Yes, Craftsman and DeWalt are Owned by Stanley Black & Decker

Stanley Black & Decker (SBD) turned heads when it bought Craftsman Tools in 2017 after Sears closed 235 stores in 2015. The company owns many brands, however. Dating back to 1843 with a man named Frederick Stanley, the company quickly formed its roots. In 2010, it merged with another company which started in 1910—Black and Decker. As of 2017, the company maintains a $7.5 billion business in tools & storage alone. SBD brands include:

DeWalt

Stanley

Black + Decker

Bostitch

Craftsman

Vidmar

Mac Tools

Irwin

Lenox

Proto

Porter-Cable

Powers Fasteners

Lista

Sidchrome

Emglo

USAG

SUPPORT OUR ADVERTISERS

Who Owns Milwaukee Tools? Techtronic Industries Co Ltd (TTI)

As it turns out, TTI owns Milwaukee Tool and a host of other power tool companies. It also licenses the RIDGID* and RYOBI names for cordless power tools (Emerson owns RIDGID). TTI stands for Techtronic Industries Company Limited (TTI Group). Founded in 1985 in Hong Kong, TTI sells tools all over the world and employs over 22,000 people. TTI is listed on the Hong Kong Stock Exchange and had worldwide annual sales of over US$6 billion in 2017. Their brands include:

Wait, I Thought Bosch Owned Skil?

Not anymore. In 2017, Chervon acquired Skil Power Tool Brands from Bosch. This added two big brands to their portfolio: Skilsaw and Skil. Chervon started its power tools business unit back in 1993, launching the EGO brand of cordless outdoor power equipment in 2013. In 2018, the company rebranded Skil (including the logo) and announced new 12V and 20V cordless power tools. Today, Chervon tools and products are sold by more than 30,000 stores in 65 countries. Chervon manufactures the following brands:

EGO

Skilsaw

Skil

FLEX

Devon

Xtron

Calmdura

Kobalt 24V (ODM for Lowe’s)

So What Brands Does Bosch Own?

First off, Bosch Tools only represents part of the Bosch Group which includes Robert Bosch GmbH and over 350 subsidiaries across 60+ countries. In 2003 Robert Bosch GmbH combined its North American power tool and power tool accessory divisions into one organization, forming Robert Bosch Tool Corporation in North America. The company designs, manufactures, and sells power tools, rotary and oscillating tools, power tool accessories, laser and optical leveling devices, and range finding tools all over the globe. Bosch also manufactures the following tools:

Bosch

Freud

Diablo

Dremel

RotoZip

Vermont American

CST/berger

Husqvarna Group Brands

Husqvarna Group manufactures chainsaws, trimmers, robotic lawn mowers, and ride-on lawn mowers. The Group also makes garden watering products as well as cutting equipment and diamond tools for the construction and stone industries. They have a presence in more than 100 countries and employ over 13,000 people in 40 countries. Husqvarna Group also owns the following tools:

Husqvarna

Poulan Pro

Weed Eater

Jonsored

Klippo

Zenoah

Gardena

Diamant Boart

Flymo

McCullock

JPW Industries – Jet Powermatic Wilton

JPW owns several large brands including Jet, Powermatic, and Wilton. The company has its headquarters in La Vergne, Tennessee but also has operations in Switzerland, Germany, Russia, France, Taiwan, and China. They sell products in 20 countries throughout the world. Their tool brands include:

Jet

Powermatic

Wilton

Edwards

Promac

Tool Air

GYS

APEX Tool Group (ATG)…is a Really Big Group

Apex Tool Group has its headquarters in Sparks, Maryland, USA and employs more than 8,000 workers. They operate in more than 30 countries throughout North and South America, Europe, Australia, and Asia. Annual revenues exceed $1.4 billion on the sale of hand tools, power tools, and electronics tools for the industrial, automotive, aerospace, and construction/DIY markets. The following tool manufacturers belong to APEX Tool Group:

Weller

Wiss

Gearwrench

Crescent

Lufkin

Jobox

Apex

Campbell

Nicholson

Jacobs

Xcelite

Master Power

Belzer

HKP

SATA

Dotco

Cleco

Armstrong (shut down in 2017)

Allen (shut down in 2017)

Emerson

Headquartered in St. Louis, Missouri (USA), Emerson manufactures products in the industrial, commercial, and residential markets. While TTI licenses the RIDGID name for power tools, Emerson controls the following tools (among others):

RIDGID (“Red”)

Greenlee

Insinkerator

Emerson

Sensi

ProTeam

Klauke

More Smaller Tool Groups and Companies

TTS Tooltechnic Systems AG & Co. KG

Based in Wendlingen, Germany, TTS or Tooltechnic Systems owns Festool (electric and pneumatic tools), Tanos (not to be confused with the guy who destroyed half the universe), Narex, Sawstop, and now Shaper Tools. TTS is truly behind the scenes as it doesn’t really have appear to have its own website (at least not in the US) or an official logo. In bullet point format, its subsidiaries include:

Festool

Tanos

Narex

Sawstop

Shaper Tools

Yamabiko

Yamabiko Corporation started in 2008 and has three core business segments: outdoor power equipment, agricultural machinery, and industrial machinery. Based in Japan, Yamabiko is a global company with major markets in Japan and North America, and a growing presence in Europe and Asia. Tool brands include:

Fortive

Washington-based Fortive, a diversified industrial growth company, includes a multitude of Professional Instrumentation and Industrial Technologies businesses. Fortive employs over 22,000 employees in more than 50 countries around the world. Their numerous brands include the following tool manufacturers:

Fluke

Matco Tools

Tektronix

Keithley

WernerCo

WernerCo manufactures and distributes ladders, climbing equipment, and ladder accessories under various brands. They also manufacture and sell fall protection products and job site, truck, and van storage equipment. The full lineup includes:

Werner

Knaack

Weather Guard

Keller

Green Bull

ITW (Illinois Tool Works)

Founded over 100 years ago, ITW manufactures specialized industrial equipment, tools, and consumables. ITW operates in 57 countries with over 50,000 employees. They also have more than 17,000 granted and pending patents. ITW brands include:

Paslode

Duo-Fast

Ramset

Red Head

Tapcon

Bernard

Miller

Hobart

Tregaskiss

ITW Buildex

Texwipe

Deltar

Alpine, an ITW Company

Ideal Industries

In 1916, J. Walter Becker apparently started the IDEAL Commutator Dresser Company of Chicago from his mother’s kitchen. More than 100 years later, Ideal Industries serves technicians and workers globally. They serve electrical, construction, aerospace, and even automotive markets. You likely recognize several of their brands:

Sunrise Global Marketing

Positec Group

Positec started in 1994 as an OEM manufacturer. They now own the Rockwell and WORX brands.

What About Hilti and Makita?

Hilti and Makita are just Hilti and Makita. They don’t have subsidiary companies underneath them or a parent company over them. It’s pretty impressive the market share each enjoys with just one brand!

Who Makes House Brands at Big Box Stores?

We can’t leave out the popular house brands available at those big box retailers and home improvement warehouses. Note that many (if not all) of the brands below represent ODM or OEM solutions. That means the tools get specified by the store but executed by another manufacturer. In other scenarios, tools are “offered” to a retailer and then manufactured in bulk upon acceptance of a buyer’s order.

Home Depot House Brands

Lowe’s House Brands

Kobalt Tools (24V power tools made by Chervon)

Blue Hawk (various OEM)

Menard’s House Brands

Masterforce (various OEM)

Grip Fast?

Performax?

Tool Shop?

While you may have thought you knew who owned all those power tool manufacturers, consolidation has changed the playing field. By far, Stanley Black & Decker demonstrates the largest buyout pattern. Companies like TTI, Apex Tool Group, ITW, and others also enjoy adding to their numbers.

Finally, if we missed any tool mergers or acquisitions, please leave a comment below. We want to keep this article updated—a much harder task than we ever imagined! Feel free to also reach out to us on Facebook, Instagram, or Twitter.

Want more? Join our newsletter and get the latest tool reviews every week!

About The Author

When he's not remodeling part of his house or playing with the latest power tool, Clint enjoys life as a husband, father and avid reader. He has a degree in recording engineering and has been involved in multimedia and/or online publishing in one form or another for the past 21 years. In 2008, Clint was one of the founders of Pro Tool Reviews. He hopes his efforts at PTR will provide builders and contractors with reliable and engaging tool reviews to help them make better tool purchasing decisions.

The comment form collects your name, email and content to allow us keep track of the comments placed on the website. Please read and accept our website Terms and Privacy Policy to post a comment.

Subscribe

newestoldestmost voted

Notify of

Guest

Chris

Makita is the manufacture of the power tools sold at Menards using the Masterforce brand. It is Makita’s way of getting more company sales to help the companies bottom line in revenue (sales). This from a regional sales manager from Makita. R.F. Midwest region.